Gregg Wallace gushes over ‘beautiful’ wife on romantic anniversary picnic as MasterChef makes controversial return

GREGG Wallace called himself a “very lucky man” as he celebrated his ninth wedding anniversary today with “beautiful” wife Anna.

The axed MasterChef star, 60, returned to Hever Castle, Kent, with Anne-Marie, 38, for a romantic picnic on the same day the latest series of the BBC cooking show controversially returned to screens featuring both of its fired hosts.

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Series 21 was filmed before a report into Wallace’s behaviour upheld 45 historical allegations of misconduct over a 17 year period.

As part of the investigation Wallace’s co-star John Torode was alleged to have used a racist term, though he maintains he did not.

Today, Wallace, who is now marketing himself as a personal trainer, was all smiles as he filmed himself and Anna by the side of a lake.

He said: “Hello, it’s our wedding anniversary. How many years, Anna?”

She replied: “Nine.”

The couple then giggled as they struggled to recall if they’d been together for 12 or 13 years.

Wallace continued: “The theme is willow, so we’ve got a picnic basket and we’re at Hever Castle because it’s here we got married.

“Look at this scene for a picnic. Beautiful setting, beautiful wife. I’m a very lucky man.”

One follower commented: “Happy faces for a happy anniversary – I bet it was a lovely picnic too.”

Another said: “Lovely location for a wedding anniversary picnic.”

A third posted: “Lovely location for a wedding anniversary picnic.”

Those who tuned into MasterChef today on BBC iPlayer noticed the show had been edited to minimise the amount of banter between hosts Torode and Wallace.

As the six amateur cooks made their first dishes for the pair, viewers noted how their usual breezy interactions were virtually non-existent.

Prior to the show airing, contestant Sarah Shafi, from Leeds, revealed how she was allegedly offered the opportunity to be edited out of the series after claiming it shouldn’t be broadcast.

Ms Shafi, 57, told the Guardian: “I didn’t say edit me out.

“I said: ‘Axe the show, don’t air the show. I’m asking you not to air the show.’ Prominent figures have been abusing their power.

“What message does that send out to women?”

MasterChef facts

MASTERCHEF has been a staple BBC series for years – but what are the key details?

• MasterChef launched on BBC One back in 1990
• It ran until 2001, then was revived in 2005 as MasterChef Goes Large
• John Torode joined the revamped series in 2005, where he teamed up with Gregg Wallace as hosts
• Controversial moments? In March 2018, Gregg refused to judge Zaleha Kadir Olpin’s stewed chicken rendang dish as he claimed it was ‘not crispy enough and could not be eaten.’

Ms Sharif alleged there was an “enabling environment” and a pattern of “institutions not being accountable”.

She also claimed there was a “heated conversation” when she tried to voice her opinions with a producer.

Once the corporation confirmed the season was going ahead, Ms Sharif agreed to be edited out.

The Sun contacted a representative for MasterChef for comment.

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THE AXE FALLS

Wallace was the first of the two hosts to be sacked back on July 10, with the BBC citing that they doubted his ability to change “learned behaviour” as a reason for his axing.

The report concluded that Gregg, who was diagnosed as autistic midway through the investigation, “struggled to distinguish the boundaries between appropriate and inappropriate behaviour in the workplace.”

The findings also referenced reputational damage to the Corporation in light of comments Wallace has made about it since he was taken off air.

Wallace has hosted MasterChef alongside Torode since 2005 and has also fronted other BBC programmes including Inside the Factory and Supermarket Secrets.

In late 2024, it was reported that the BBC had been made aware of complaints dating back to 2017, while it was claimed that a letter had been sent to the broadcaster in 2022 stating that women had been made to feel “uncomfortable” in his presence.

However, he has been cleared of the most serious allegations, including those made by high profile names including Kirsty Wark and Penny Lancaster.

GREGG BACKS CO-STAR

In an explosive sit down interview with The Sun, Wallace said that he was not a “groper, a sex pest or a flasher”.

He also backed Torode, insisting: “He is not a racist.”